Quotes of the day

posted at 8:31 pm on October 13, 2012 by Allahpundit

There are two possibilities. Either the intelligence community had a detailed picture of what happened in Benghazi that night and failed to share it with other administration officials and the White House. Or the intelligence community provided that detailed intelligence picture to others in the administration, and Obama, Biden, Clinton, Susan Rice, and others ignored and manipulated the intelligence to tell a politically convenient—but highly inaccurate—story.

It seems far more likely that it’s the latter. After all, is it conceivable that White House officials at the highest levels were not actively engaged in interagency meetings to determine what happened in Benghazi? Is it conceivable that intelligence officials, knowing there was no evidence at all of a link between the film and Benghazi, would fail to tell the president and his colleagues that their claims were unfounded? Is it conceivable that somehow the latest intelligence on the 9/11 attacks was left out of Obama’s intelligence briefings in the days after 9/11? It would have been a priority for every professional at the CIA, the State Department, and the National Security Council to discover exactly what happened in Benghazi as soon as possible. Is it conceivable that the information wasn’t passed to the most senior figures in the administration?

No, it’s really not. And therefore, the fact that these senior figures misled us—and still mislead us—is a scandal of the first order.

***

The administration desperately needs a scapegoat to keep this scandal as far from the White House as possible. And that is why I think that, beyond Biden’s fact-challenged statements, the more consequential thing he did last night was to try to make the intelligence community (IC) the scapegoat (and I am not the only one who picked up on this). Based on this interview with Obama’s deputy campaign manager, the fingering of the IC appears to be a deliberate, coordinated strategy by the politicos — and it is very risky.

First, as numerous fact-checkers have already pointed out, the administration did not merely go with whatever the IC told them. They went with whatever was the most politically useful story at the time. The Obama campaign keeps complaining about how Romney-Ryan have politicized this issue, but in fact the Obama campaign has played this as a political issue from the very start.

Second, the IC can fight back. Frustration has been mounting for years within the IC over the way the administration has politicized intelligence. At some point, that frustration could bubble over into retaliatory leaks and damaging revelations.

***

Former CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden has joined the chorus of GOP voices slamming Vice President Biden’s comments on the White House’s inconsistent explanation of the Sept. 11 assault on the American Consulate in Libya…

“It is clear that any failure was not on the part of the intelligence community, but on the part of White House decision-makers who should have listened to, and acted on, available intelligence,” Hayden said in a joint statement with former Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff issued Friday.

Will Hillary now retaliate and protect herself by leaking word that the White House did too know? Will her husband continue to tour the country trying to pull Obama’s bacon out of the fire (as he did at the convention) even as Obama points a finger at his wife? Will they all cut some sort of deal in which Hillary agrees to take the fall and Bill soldiers on … in exchange for, what? Have they already cut a deal? Is the White House going to try to hang its hat on the idea that Obama and Biden didn’t know, but maybe their staffs knew? Will that really fly? Aren’t they responsible for their staffs? Will the staffs fight back?

***

To “politicize” means “to give a political character to.” It is a reductive term, capturing the peculiarly shrunken horizons of politics: “Gee, they nuked Israel. D’you think that will hurt us in Florida?” So media outlets fret that Benghazi could be “bad” for Obama — by which they mean he might be hitting the six-figure lecture circuit four years ahead of schedule. But for Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods, it’s real bad. They’re dead, over, gonesville. Given that Obama and Secretary Clinton refer to Stevens pneumatically as “Chris,” as if they’ve known him since third grade, why would they dishonor the sacrifice of their close personal friend by peddling an utterly false narrative as to why he died? You want “politicization”? Secretary Clinton linked the YouTube video to the murder of her colleagues even as the four caskets lay alongside her at Andrews Air Force Base — even though she had known for days that it had nothing to do with it. It’s weird enough that politicians now give campaign speeches to returning coffins. But to conscript your “friend”’s corpse as a straight man for some third-rate electoral opportunism is surely as shriveled and worthless as “politicization” gets…

In the days before the attack Joe Biden had been peddling his Obama campaign slogan that “bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive.” The first successful terrorist attack on U.S. sovereign territory since 9/11, and on the very anniversary and by al-Qaeda-linked killers, was not helpful to the Obama team. And so the nature of the event had to be “politicized”: Look, over there — an Islamophobic movie! “Greater love hath no man than this,” quoth the president at Chris Stevens’ coffin, “that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Smaller love hath no man than Obama’s, than to lay down his “friend” for a couple of points in Ohio.

***

No one died at watergate! The Obama lies about Benghazi and Biden’s deliberate lies Thursday night should be a bigger scandal than Nixon

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

Trackbacks/Pings

Comments

Say you get Obama impeached, how are you going to get 67 votes in the Senate, especially if Harry Reid is the Majority Leader, to remove him?

You are assuming that Democrats are honourable and will go to him and tell him that he must resign as the Republicans did to Nixon. There are 6 reasons why this will not happen:

1. Obama is the first black POTUS and blacks will never forgive Democrats for tap-tapping their historic achievement.

2. The base may have enjoyed Chuckles Biden’s performance at the debate, but they do not want him anywhere near the nuclear codes. Most of the senior leadership isn’t even that insane.

3. Obama is the first black POTUS and blacks will never forgive Democrats for tap-tapping their historic achievement.

4. Chuckles is about to turn 70 and has already had 3 aneurysms plus he appears to be unstable, possibly manic-depressive or suffering some early signs of dementia. If he dies or becomes incapacitated, John Boehner could become POTUS if the VP was vacant.

5. Obama is the first black POTUS and blacks will never forgive Democrats for tap-tapping their historic achievement.

6. Democrats will never eat their own. They made up all sorts of excuses for Clinton during the Lewinsky scandal and his perjury, including feminist Gloria Steinem’s “One-Free-Grope” Rule and Nina Burleigh, who said “I would be happy to give him a blowjob just to thank him for keeping abortion legal. I think American women should be lining up with their presidential kneepads on to show their gratitude for keeping the theocracy off our backs.”

Ive been better..to be honest..but trying to be positive.
And you Friend?

bazil9 on October 13, 2012 at 9:24 PM

Sorry to hear that. I hope you’re only “down” because of the election and not something more personal. If I were closer, I’d come keep you company and bring ice cream. Yeah, I really would.

We’re okay here. Counting the few pennies we have after putting gas in the tank and a little (very little) food in the ‘frig. It seems every week is tougher than the week before. I (((shudder))) to think of what our country will be if O is re-elected.

“f it’s nonsense, why is Jill Biden being sent to Minnesota to campaign there?”

Romney’s son came to Milwaukee. They send the “dud” surrogates to places that are closer than blowout levels, but not really in-play. As soon as Obama or Biden go to MN, then there’s something to talk about.

Yes, my profession is hell right now..
I work with small bussinesses mainly and their employer sponsored benefit plans. I also sell medicare supplements and advantage plans. I am on the ground..and I will tell you..it is one bad scene. I have had some yell at me outright about the Govt..been wild. As the time line rolls on for implementation-they are seeing and feeling it.
Yes..rates are soaring..I care about my clients..doing everything I can to help them..but I am running out of options.
They have also done another fun thing with the law..you cant sell an individual policy to a minor without a parent on it. Why? Because employer plans are guaranteed issue. Well hell..they always have been. But now..if you wanna cover your child..you have to put them on your employer plan..well the rate for that is oh..depending on my groups..average of $1000 a month premium. Instead of taking their healthy teen as we use to do and get them their own policy. Now..that aint an option.

Obama- your premiums will go down..Like hell! And when you dictate what all plans must cover for free-not even a damn co-pay- well..your gonna pay in a premium hike. Oh its free for that check up now and BC..but now you pay a higher premium. Smoke and mirrors. Thats just a tiny bit.. I could go on and on..so I will stop. :) I might have a stroke. lol

Impeachment won’t be called for 4 weeks before a Presidential election. It will appear politically motivated, even if the cause is just. Impeachment is an option after the election (if Zero wins), but there won’t be votes in the Senate for it to happen.

Oh, c’mon, people…it’s my birthday and ths is a mournful topic that in turns saddens, irritates, horrifies, depresses and infuriates me. Please confine your comments to happy thoughts only, like puppies, rainbows, unicorns, and chocolate. Plus, gumby is a complete and utter moron that nobody should have to endure on her birthday.

Oh, c’mon, people…it’s my birthday and ths is a mournful topic that in turns saddens, irritates, horrifies, depresses and infuriates me. Please confine your comments to happy thoughts only, like puppies, rainbows, unicorns, and chocolate. Plus, gumby is a complete and utter moron that nobody should have to endure on her birthday.

Thanking you in advance, B’sK

Bob’s Kid on October 13, 2012 at 9:39 PM

Please remember that this isn’t a chat room. It’s annoying having to scroll through self-indulgent chatty clutter from people who abuse these commenting sections.
bluegill on September 25, 2012 at 7:19 PM

bazil9 I honestly feel for you. In my former life I had to do the company health plans and even back then with just the PPOs and HMOs and premiums going up constantly made every October prep tortuous knowing that our little company was going to have to make changes. I can’t even begin to think how many more grey hairs you are getting from this.

We’re okay here. Counting the few pennies we have after putting gas in the tank and a little (very little) food in the ‘frig. It seems every week is tougher than the week before. I (((shudder))) to think of what our country will be if O is re-elected.

GrannyDee on October 13, 2012 at 9:32 PM

Aww..your a peach and kind. No, personal stuff.I am actually not down about the election..optimistic as of now.

I know Dee, I budget and budget but a trip to the grocery and other items are getting harder and harder. I am glad your still making it.
Bless you sweet lady.

I have friends in the same business, and it truly hurts their hearts to watch what’s necessary.

pambi on October 13, 2012 at 9:45 PM

Yep, it hurts my heart. Clients I have known for years..just scrapping by as it is. Some are like family to me.
Our small business is the same. I pay a premium for 2 people and its close to a mortgage payment..and it aint no Cadillac plan.

Ido understand that you are ‘just funnin’ with me, TXUS! But since you asked me, there you go.

And yes… you should try this liqueur. Its made from a base of 100 proof Stolichnaya, and you add the elderberry concentrate, which I reduce myself, adding sugar to make a light syrup. Then you cool the elderberry syrup and pour it into the Stolichnaya, seal the bottle tightly, and put it in a cool, dark place for a minimum of 8 weeks, the longer, the better.

I didn’t know about you being in health care insurance. You’re on the ground and personally can see what O Care is causing for everybody. How I wish you could be here to try and talk some sense into the heads of the Lefties I know.

Please take extra good care of yourself. With God’s help, we’ll all get through this nightmare.

GrannyDee on October 13, 2012 at 9:32 PM
Oh, I know.. Sobering that so MANY are in our same spot !!
Hubby’s job is sales, on the road, and his fuel bill alone has doubled to $600+ per MONTH !!!!
God help us all, and grant us R&R for the next few years ! Hopefully 8 ! ;-)

Fire Clapper and abolish the DNI: it is a Charlie-Foxtrot and everyone inside the IC knew that from before the day it was formed. The IC needs walls broken down, fiefdoms abolished and an ability to actually have analysts in different specialties find each other easily to work on projects together. In other words: get rid of bureaucracy, artificial work lines and put the agencies in charge of keeping skill levels up. Get rid of the DNI.

In the meantime someone should take responsibility for the events and ACT LIKE AN ADULT.

I don’t expect that, of course, these are all ‘de adults in charge!’ group. They will dump on each other. Hillary is destroying her career, won’t salvage it by actually taking full responsibility and each day she stays she is acting more like a Kamikaze towards Obama.

In the meantime the Administration has just PO’d the entire IC.

Nice knowing you, Mr. President. Hope you know the IC keeps tabs and surveillance on you, too. Part of the job. In case something happens to you or your family like, you know, having ATF backed cartel members decide to kidnap your kids while they are partying in Mexico. Yeah, good job POing the IC. Expect the dirt to start flowing RSN, Mr. President.

You could have acted like an adult and the President and taken full responsibility and blame for what went down.

You didn’t.

And it is way too late to do that now. Isn’t it wonderful when your best hope to salvage your public life is now in the hands of Hillary Clinton? And you’ve PO’d her off, too. Good job, fella! Hope you have that compound in Hawaii barricaded and the walls topped off with razor wire. You have done the most asinine, stupid and self-destructive thing a President in your position could have done and the people you have ticked off play for keeps. Not a good position to be in, President Obama. Sorry you put yourself into such a pickle.

Romney’s son came to Milwaukee. They send the “dud” surrogates to places that are closer than blowout levels, but not really in-play. As soon as Obama or Biden go to MN, then there’s something to talk about.

I haven’t been sick for a while, but I remember being ill last Thanksgiving, usually the best remedy for me was lots of hydration and rest until my body starts to fight the virus and eventually sweat it out. Maybe others have different remedies but that’s the one that works for me.

Coffee Lover, I felt awful for her. It’s bad enough she lost her only child; now she has to deal with the administration’s lies. They lied to her face repeatedly and brushed her off. She is so bereaved and anxious. She just wants to know why her child died and the circumstances.

This coverup is beyond sickening – it’s criminal. Dear Leader is going to brush this off until after Nov. 6 and hope his media lapdogs accommodate him. They know who did it – why no boots on the ground? We might get a drone strike on Nov. 4 or 5, just in time for the election.

Hey .. If anyone’s into scotch ???
Our family name is Barton, so, as a joke, actually, hubby picked up some “Very Old Barton” to rub it in to our son, when he turned 40 !!
Dang, that’s good stuff ! LOL.